Agenda item

To sign up to the Oxford City Council Charter for Cleaner Air and agree a press release announcing the sign up to the Charter.

The Cabinet considered a report that recommended that the Council sign up to the Oxford City Council Charter for Cleaner Air to support the call for the UK Government to do more to improve poor air quality.

The Charter had been launched by Oxford City Council, Greenpeace UK and Friends of the Earth and it called on the Government to place the health of communities first.  The problem of air pollution was significant in Slough and it was recognised as a major public health issue.  The Service Lead Major Infrastructure Projects highlighted that the Charter was in line with Slough’s ambitions to improve local air quality as set out in the Low Emissions Strategy approved in 2018 and the Transport Vision agreed by Cabinet in February 2019.

It was noted that the Labour Group had tabled a motion on climate change at the next Council meeting on 23^rd July 2019.  The Cabinet recognised that whilst the Charter was principally aimed at calling on the Government to take further action to address the problem of air pollution, it was important that the Council showed local leadership for example by investing in public transport and improving the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. 

After discussion it was agreed that Slough Borough Council sign up to the Charter.

Resolved –  To sign up to the Oxford City Council Charter for Cleaner Air and agree a press release announcing the sign up to the Charter.